conspiracy news agency

"To sum up, my conclusion is this...Senior Xingmankong."

"what……?"

Sitting on the other side of the desk, Xing Mankong, who was buried in the hill of documents and approvals, raised his head and looked at me with some surprise.

"Didn't I tell you that if there is anything you want me to do, you must first submit the application form in accordance with the rules and regulations?"

After that day, Shan Wanshan gradually told me the details of the runaway water control system. Generally speaking, from the day before the Spring Festival, Shan Wanshan was suddenly deprived of her ability to act as the executive center. As an interface, Shan Shangchuan also lost contact with him.Therefore, from Shan Wanshan's point of view, it is understandable to think that Shan Shangchuan is the most likely criminal.

However, the most important clues are not these.

"Since the water control system is really such a strictly managed thing, can Shan Shangchuan, who is the "front end", really give orders to the entire water control system?"

Although I am not a student majoring in computer science, I still have some basic knowledge.

"It is... possible. In the final analysis, the water control system is a distributed system, and each node has exactly the same functions as other nodes, and the only difference is whether it is endowed with This kind of right. If you are the maker of the water control system, it is possible to invade the water control system from any single point.”

And then, when I asked Shan Wanshan about the maker of the water control system, I got an unexpected answer from him.

"The current vice president of the student union is also the volunteer general director of the campus network technology center, and the designer of the water control system...Senior Xingmankong." I looked at Xingmankong, who still seemed to be indifferent, and raised my own question, "Actually, you He must be the mastermind of this incident.”

"Why do you feel that way?"

Xing Mankong's expression didn't change at all, and he didn't deny my question, but calmly asked back, as if he was talking about outsiders.

"At the beginning, I didn't know how the water control system works, but when I learned the details, I immediately discovered that it was indeed the work of the water control system. In C University, the only ones who fully understand the water control system and can invade the water control system should be star Man Sora-senpai is alone."

"It's logically true. To be honest... I concealed my identity as the creator of the water control system from the beginning in order not to get myself into trouble, but now it seems that it's the opposite~"

Xingmankong unexpectedly admitted his concealment, which caught me off guard.

"If what you said is true, it is true that I can take over the entire water control system from Shan Wanshan and even control the entire public opinion system of University C just by inputting the privilege escalation key to any node of the water control system. But... that's right What good am I for?"

motivation……

I lowered my head and thought to myself about this question that I hadn't considered before.

"I'm already overdue as the vice president of the student council. If I don't make mistakes, I might be able to stay like this until graduation. However, even if I put the water control system in my pocket, it won't help to prolong my term. term of office."

"It's true to say that, but if Senior Xingmankong is the only person in C University who holds the key to the water control system, then..."

"No, this sentence is a false premise, a loophole in your reasoning..."

Xingmankong frowned, not because he was distressed by my accusation, but because he was disappointed that my accusation was not thorough enough.

"It seems that Shan Wanshan didn't tell you everything...at least, a year ago...that is, when the water control system went online, she didn't tell you about the serious operation accident."

"Eh?"

Shan Wanshan did mention this incident, but I thought it had nothing to do with this incident.

"In the last incident, the management key was leaked. After all, this incident is just a repeat of the previous incident..." Xing Mankong said completely ignoring my doubts, "Believe it or not, if things get to this point, I can almost tell who the culprit is..."

Senior Xingmankong, who was obviously still accepting my accusation a moment ago, made a gesture that there is only one truth, and his finger pointed in my direction.

"Shan Shangchuan!"

Slightly away from my body, the senior was pointing at senior sister Shan Shangchuan who appeared behind me out of nowhere.

"Sister, so you are here?"

"Well, I've been..."

Regarding the mantra of Senior Sister Shan Shangchuan, after knowing the working principle of the water control system, I have already understood it.The flood management system not only manages the social network of University C, but also accesses any equipment related to the network of University C. Of course... all the cameras, sensors, and access control systems in the school are also included.

All the time... you can know what you see...

It refers to this matter, the water control system is like the shadow of C University, they have been there all the time, silently watching C University make false responses on the Internet, guiding all people, but no one noticed their existence...

Even though I said that, I have also noticed now that Shan Shangchuan, who has never expressed much expression, has a bit of dignity on his face at this moment.

"A year ago, that is, three months before the start of the sand table game... Shan Wanshan, who is the central control system, caused a riot in the entire water control system because of a major personality flaw. At that time... you should start from the single Wan Shan learned the central key of the flood control system, right?"

"Please...please stop talking, Senior Xingmankong..."

It was rare for Shan Shangchuan to say this sentence with his own mouth. It seemed that he was under a lot of pressure, and his voice trembled a little, as if he was about to suffer.

"Oh, oh, I actually said it myself. I remember that when I designed you, I deliberately added the wordless attribute to your character so that you, who can also move in the real world, would not accidentally slip up. ... Even so, do you want to stop me? Are you trying to show your determination? Or are you... afraid?"

I can hear that senior Xingmankong seems to be bullying senior sister, but from my current standpoint, it seems that I can't stand by Shan Shangchuan's side. I looked at Shan Shangchuan, and saw through the thick glasses She felt a little heartbroken with the expression of about to cry.

"That...Senior Xingmankong..."

I was about to intervene, but was interrupted by senior Xingmankong's sigh.

"Luo Haofeng, do you want to intercede with Shan Shangchuan?" Although Xingmankong seemed helpless for some reason, "It is because of people like you... that the water control system collapsed."

"don't want……"

Shan Shangchuan seemed to be in great pain, covering his ears and shaking his head desperately.

"It's not Luo Haofeng's fault..."

"Sister..."

"Because...everyone is lonely..."

Shan Shangchuan raised his head, his eyes were full of helplessness and resentment, those black eyes looked straight at the starry sky through thick glasses.I never knew Shan Shangchuan could express such a rich expression, and for some reason, I suddenly felt distressed.

"Please sit down, Shan Shangchuan..." Xing Mankong pointed to another chair beside the file cabinet, "Since the matter has reached this point, I can't turn a blind eye to it. Yes. Before, you were allowed to move freely because you were the children I created, but if it develops like this... it is also for your safety. Luo Haofeng happened to be here today, chatting with my incompetent father How about a chat?"

"Eh...? Eh!?"

..............................

Because the development of the matter was too far-reaching, in order to calm down my thoughts, I proposed to buy some drinks for the two of them and come back.When I returned to the Paper Palace, Shan Shangchuan seemed to have calmed down and sat next to my chair opposite the starry sky.I handed him the milk tea I bought, the oolong tea to the senior, and the rest of the hot coffee in my hand.

What is worth noting is the new ball of paper on the table, which looks like the residue used to wipe away tears and filth after crying.I couldn't help but glance at Shan Shangchuan, her eye circles were still a little red even though she had recovered from her expressionless expression, it seemed that she was crying hard when I was not around.Probably because seeing that Shan Shangchuan still has such rich emotions like a human being, I feel a little relieved.

In short, in the current situation, I feel like I have become a community worker between father and daughter who intervene in irreconcilable family conflicts...

"Since I have cried, cried, and made trouble, and have deliberately troubled Luo Haofeng as a witness... Let me talk about you first... No, your request is settled."

The one who spoke was Senior Xingmankong who played the role of a strict father, although I can't understand the developer's mood of treating his program as a child.However, in reality, seeing Xing Mantian, who is only one level older than Shan Shangchuan, speak to Shan Shangchuan in such a tone, I still feel that it would be a little against harmony.

"..."

The one who kept silent and bowed her head silently played the role of the arrogant daughter who is slightly inconsistent with the usual role setting.

"Well, even if you don't tell me, I know the general idea..."

Xing Mankong took out a thick stack of documents from under the table, and pushed the file to the other side of the table.Shan Shangchuan didn't follow up, but I leaned over curiously, and felt a headache after just looking at it.

There is a photo on the file, that photo is clearly Que Huoyan among the twin sisters, and the other person her arm is wrapped around is the school idol whom I only met once in the conversation with her two days ago Ajie.

"This is……"

"Didn't I say that every node has the same function, but the permissions are different. As long as you have a key, even ordinary nodes can appear in the real world."

Seeing my surprised expression, Xing Mankong explained.

"But... it's too sci-fi to make AI real..."

Even in a fantasy novel, at least follow some basic rules, such as the law of indestructibility of matter.

"No, it can be done...Senior is right." Shan Shangchuan, who had been silent until now, interjected, "It from bit."

"what?"

"The meaning of 'everything comes from information' is a new anti-matter world view. It combines certain computer knowledge, but in the final analysis it is nothing more than a paradox. The entire water control system also relies on this system to operate. If C If it is an entity, then the water control system is the virtual image in the mirror of the Internet, and using the virtual image in the mirror to affect the entity is the basic principle of the water control system.”

I have already heard Shan Wanshan say this, so I can understand it, but what I didn't expect was that the original influence was not simply materialized through the rumors generated on the Internet, but could directly be like the present...

"Of course, the flood control system with indestructible power like rumors is still available, but sometimes a faster response is required, so the function of directly interfering with the real world has also been added."

"When necessary, the journalism society becomes the club with the largest number of people in the school."——It seems that someone told me that, and it turned out to be the same thing.

"Knock Knock"

The senior tapped on the photos and documents on the desktop, as if hoping to bring the topic back.

"The key to this node should not be taken from No. 0002, but granted by you, right?"

When asked directly, Shan Shangchuan still did not answer.

"It's ironic. The silent personality I set up by myself has become my own stumbling block at this time."

"Um...Sister Shan Shangchuan, if you don't want to talk, you can just nod your head. If this continues, it will be very difficult for me."

Shan Shangchuan looked at me with some hesitation, but finally nodded.

"I've already stopped..."

Shan Shangchuan said in a low voice, even I who was sitting next to him could only just hear that voice, Senior Xingmankong frowned.

"I... have prevented everyone from going berserk, but... this is already a counter-plan after compromise. Ajie's matter... I'm sorry, but... there is really no way."

Shan Shangchuan's voice couldn't help being low and intermittent, like a junior high school daughter who was caught by her parents and fell in love with each other incoherently.

"In other words, you didn't plan what happened this time?"

Shan Shangchuan nodded again, which was a bit beyond my expectation. He obviously felt that he was close to the truth, but the mastermind kept changing. It was like a reversal drama specially performed to gain attention.

"The people you mentioned just now mean all the nodes...? How many nodes participated in this movement?"

Shan Shangchuan nodded, obviously aiming at the first question, but soon realized that the second question could not be solved by just nodding and shaking his head. After hesitating for a while, he lightly opened his lips: "1998."

"Hmm..." This time, the face of Xingmankong's senior became ugly, "Isn't everyone involved except you and Shan Wanshan... No wonder the behavior correction system of each other will also fail .”

"What's the purpose?" Xing Mankong answered the question by himself just after asking, "In the real world... now it seems that there is only this goal."

In other words, the water control system does not want to be an illusory existence that only exists on the Internet, but wants to enter the real world, so it stole the key from Shan Shangchuan...?

Shan Shangchuan still didn't answer and nodded in agreement with Xingmankong and I's conjecture.

"I...have stopped...if they can prove that they are worthy humans...I will allow them to come out...although it is effective for a while, but...they are...very strong."

Strong means that many of them have managed to make people in reality recognize the value of their existence, right?Just like Ajie... Looking at Que Huoyan's happy face in the photo, I became angry for a while. She was obviously a senior, but she did such a futile thing.

"So... what do you think?"

Shan Shangchuan lowered his head, and habitually hid all his expressions in his bangs and glasses.

"I'm... very worried about them..."

At this moment, Shan Shangchuan is still holding the mobile phone in his hand, but because he has cut off contact with other nodes of the water control system, he has not seen her texting for a long time.The look of holding the phone tightly with both hands on the lap until now is very distressing.If I ever doubted whether Shan Shangchuan really has human emotions, I can probably understand the feeling of guilt now.

"The AI ​​that is a puppet wants to invade reality from the online world to embrace human beings because it is unwilling to be lonely. I don't know where to start complaining about this old-fashioned plot..." Senior Xing Mankong smiled, But there was no sarcasm in that expression, but he was a little relieved, "And what kind of expression do you have now, I don't remember that I have designed such a foul expression for you..."

Senior, if you still have the self-consciousness as a father, then this kind of sexual harassment is the real foul.

"Well, it's also thanks to me being so complacent about the system I designed that I didn't consider the possibility of this happening. It seems that this time I have to apologize in person... After all, you are all my children in name, Although you probably don't want to admit it."

"Everyone is just... shy..." Shan Shangchuan looked away from his mobile phone, he clearly wanted to escape but looked at Xingmankong firmly but cowardly, "Dad..."

Xingmankong's serious mask seemed to be cracked suddenly, and then stood up like a machine, and walked up to Shan Shangchuan while ignoring my surprised gaze the whole time, and hugged her in his arms.

"..."

"Hey~"

Shan Shangchuan seemed to be in chaos just like me, waving his arms stiffly.

"I'm really happy..." Under the atmosphere where I shouldn't exist at all, Xing Mankong said in a relieved tone, "Thank you all..."

Eh?

Why is the field of vision gradually blurred... suddenly black borders appear on the top and bottom, what are these subtitles...?End! ?

"Wait...wait a minute, senior Xingmankong...even if it is true, there is no need to draw conclusions so early."

In order to save such a tragic ending, I

Almost subconsciously broke out.

"Anyway, the matter has been clarified now. If possible, please ask the senior to cover up the truth for a few more days."

Oops, said that without thinking.

"Thank you, but that's fine... I guess it's my own fault."

The senior looked at me, and then at Shan Shangchuan.

"I... will find a solution... but it will take a certain amount of time..."

In fact, I didn't think of a way at all, and I said it with difficulty.

"Time...but if it continues to drag on, more nodes will materialize. If Master Dujuan finds out by then..."

But it's not just the senior who is being held accountable, even me who asked Xingmankong to delay time may also be involved.Although I have dealt with Dujuan many times so far and have not been obliterated, it is just like Tian Yu said that I am just a harmless bug.But once it gets in the way of the work of the student council, there is a way to kill the bugs cleanly and elegantly without getting your hands dirty.

"No problem... I will find a way to save everyone."

I stubbornly replied.

"It doesn't matter if I take all the extra responsibility caused by the delay, but I won't take the risk for nothing... In exchange, it is also a necessary condition. access key."

After hearing what I said, Xing Mankong's eyes immediately became alert.

"Luo Haofeng, you have to know that you are not..."

"I know that I am just an insignificant character in the sandbox game, and it is precisely because of this that I urgently need the ability to protect myself. I hope the seniors can understand this..."

Xingmankong looked at me with complicated eyes, but Shan Shangchuan nodded.

"I still can't trust you, so I can't guarantee anything. If you can really calm this matter down... I will consider the conditions you said."